
ছবি: Photo: Collected
A group of armed robbers infiltrated the Zinzira branch of Rupali Bank in the Chunutiya Pakapul area of South Keraniganj, Dhaka, prompting a swift response from law enforcement and local residents. Following reports of the robbery, police, along with members of the Army and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), surrounded the bank in an attempt to secure the situation without escalating violence.
Dhaka District Police Superintendent (SP) Ahmed Muyid confirmed to the media that the incident began when the robbers entered the bank around 2 PM. Local residents quickly became aware of the intrusion and locked the bank from the outside, preventing the robbers' escape. Upon receiving the report, law enforcement agencies were deployed to the site and began efforts to handle the situation.
SP Muyid explained that the robbers are believed to be armed, which has prompted authorities to prioritize negotiations aimed at persuading them to surrender without conflict. "Considering public safety, we are attempting a peaceful resolution instead of launching an immediate operation," he stated.
Accounts from bank employees, police personnel, and locals indicate that the robbers entered the bank during business hours, catching staff and customers off guard. The nearby mosque made an announcement over its loudspeaker, alerting the neighborhood to the robbery. In response, hundreds of people gathered near the bank and assisted law enforcement by cordoning off the area.
Eyewitnesses recounted the dramatic sequence of events, saying that within minutes of the robbery being discovered, security forces, including police, Army, and RAB personnel, arrived at the scene. The bank's doors were reportedly locked from the inside by the robbers. Authorities suspect that customers and employees are still inside, potentially as hostages. A gunshot was heard from within the building, adding to concerns about the situation.
As the standoff continues, law enforcement agencies are maintaining a high level of caution to prevent harm to any individuals inside the bank. Security forces remain on-site, working in coordination to ensure public safety and bring the situation to a peaceful conclusion. Further updates are awaited as negotiations progress.
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